Secure optical media storage

ABSTRACT

An optical recording medium is provided for distributing content through a portable medium which can be transported by hand from one media player to another media player. The optical recording medium includes a read-only zone and a writable area. Copy control information is stored in the read-only zone. The copy control information specifies (a) an authorized content source and (b) content which is authorized to be downloaded from the authorized content source and recorded in the writable area of the optical recording medium.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to optical media storage. In particular, theapplication relates to distribution of content through a portable mediumwhich can be transported by hand from one media player to another mediaplayer.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Use of digital media for storing and transporting content hasproliferated in recent years. The term “content” is used herein in itsbroadest sense to denote any form of digital information which consumersmay wish to obtain, and can include information from or in the form of,as examples and without limiting it to, text, audio, video, film,photographs, animation, graphics, etc. The content may be obtained fromany of numerous sources. The term “content source” is used herein in itsbroadest sense to include any of the possible sources of digitalinformation through an electronic communication channel, such as theInternet or another computer or telecommunicative network, a dedicatedcommunication link such as an electronic cable connecting an electronicappliance to a computer, etc.

One of the categories of digital media popularly used for storing andtransporting digital content is optical storage media (“optical media”),such as CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital versatile discs or digitalvideo discs). For example, multimedia content and/or other data can bestored on optical media in an optically readable manner.

Several formats of optical media are currently available, includingread-only formats such as CD-DA (digital audio compact disc), CD-ROM(CD-read-only memory), DVD-ROM, etc., and recordable formats in the formof (i) write-once read-many times formats such as CD-R (CD-recordable),and DVD-R (DVD-recordable), etc., or (ii) rewritable formats such asCD-RW (CD-rewriteable), DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Media), DVD-RW orDVD+RW (DVD-rewriteable), PD (Phase change Dual disk) and other phasechange optical discs.

In conventional read-only type optical media (for example, CD-ROM,DVD-ROM, etc.), data is generally stored as a series of “pits” embossedin a plane of “lands”. Microscopic pits formed in a surface of a plasticmedium are arranged in tracks, conventionally spaced radially from thecenter hub in a spiral track originating at the medium center hub andending toward the medium's outer rim. The intensity of the lightreflected from a read-only medium's surface by an optical media playeror reader varies according to the presence or absence of pits along theinformation track. When the readout spot is over the flat part of thetrack, more light is reflected directly from the disc than when thereadout spot is over a pit. A photodetector and other electronics insidethe optical media player translate the signal from the transition pointsbetween these pits and lands caused by this variation into the 0s and 1sof the digital code representing the stored information.

Recordable type optical media typically include a spiral wobble groovein the substrate. The groove defines recording channels on the disc forrecording data, provides information for tracking of the disc whilewriting or reading data, and has its wobble frequency modulated tocontain addressing and other information necessary for the write andread processes. In addition, recordable-type optical media generallyinclude a recording layer. Information is recorded in therecordable-type optical medium by directing a laser light beam modulatedby signals to selectively change optical characteristics (reflectivityor extinction coefficient) of the recording layer. The recording layerin write-once read-many times optical media typically includes aphotosensitive organic dye which is heated during recording toirreversibly to form a pattern of marks or pits into the recordinglayer. Rewritable optical media typically include a phase-change typerecording layer having a polycrystalline structure. During recording ofthe rewritable optical medium, the laser selectively heats tiny areas ofthe recording track to change the phase of each heated area from morecrystalline into less crystalline (also known as “amorphous”) phase, inorder to create marks that can be called “pits”. During erase, the laser(in a process called “annealing”) changes the amorphous areas back intomore crystalline areas.

Hybrid optical media which include a combination of formats have alsobeen proposed. For example, one type of hybrid media includes a ROM discand a recordable disc, manufactured independent of one another and thenadhered to each other. Another proposed type of hybrid media has datapit patterns prerecorded on a surface of a substrate and has in additiona recording layer allowing a user to record data to the recording layer.In addition, optical recording media having multiple recording layersare now available.

According to another hybrid optical recording disc, a read-only area anda recordable area are present on one side of the hybrid optical disc,with a wobble groove in the read-only area modulated by depressions inthe substrate and extending into the substrate in the recordable area.See U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,462 to Ha et al.

For example, this technology was incorporated in the Kodak PictureCDproduct (but is not used in the current generation of the PictureCDproduct) and is sometimes referred to as CD-PROM technology. The CD-PROMPictureCD product includes a hybrid optical recording disc whereinPictureCD software is prerecorded in the read-only area of the disc, andthe recordable area is available for the user to record JPEG image files(such as for scanned photos, digital camera files, graphics downloadedfrom the Internet, etc.). The PictureCD software can index the imagefiles and present them within the PictureCD application, bypassing theneed to have a photofinisher create the disc.

Although these types of hybrid media allow potentially for distributionof pre-recorded content stored in one part of the medium, along withprovision of a recordable area onto which additional data andinformation can be selectively recorded by a user, no teaching orsuggestion has been found by the applicant of adapting the hybrid mediumto control content that can be recorded in the recordable area of themedium as disclosed and claimed in this patent specification.

Another digital medium through which content is popularly obtained isthe Internet. For many users, the personal computing system is theirgateway to the wealth of content available through the Internet. Forexample, broadband Internet access is becoming increasingly popular andaffordable, and can facilitate video-on-demand (VOD). Many personalcomputing systems are adapted with software and/or hardware foraccessing and reproducing multimedia content from the Internet and/orfrom other digital media such as optical recording media.

Broadband content distribution is viewed by many in the pre-recordedcontent industry (anywhere along the distribution chain) as a challengeto content ownership rights. That is, the concern is that broadbandmedia may ultimately replace distribution of content throughpre-recorded optical media in a way threatening content ownershiprights.

However, although broadband content access is very convenient forconsumers in some ways (for example, saving the consumer a trip to theretailer), it does not provide the consumer with many of the benefits ofan optical medium. For example, an optical medium is not only adistribution medium but also a storage medium. Therefore, the consumercan enjoy the content stored on the optical medium in piecemeal fashionand in many instances repeatedly. In addition, the content stored on theoptical medium can be enjoyed at a high quality level, without regard tohow many other users are requesting similar content at the same time, orthe load on the broadband network at that time. Also, acceptable contentownership rights protection has been established for pre-recordedoptical media.

The popularity of home networks likewise is rapidly increasing. Contentdistribution within a home network, such as by streaming the contentacross the home network, has been proposed.

However, as a practical matter, it can (in many instances) besubstantially faster to store content on an optical disc and walk thedisc to another room in the home than it is to stream the content overtoday's WiFi or Cat-5 network home system, unless a quantity of thestreamed data is severely restricted at the expense of quality of thecontent. In addition, home network storage capacity can be overwhelmedif content becomes high definition (HD) quality. It is less expensiveand more practical for consumers to have a larger offline opticalstorage library and a smaller magnetic online storage capacity.

Assorted services providing VOD download of movies are now available.

For example, one service, Movielink, allows users to download moviesthrough a broadband connection to the Internet, for a fee (in a range of$1.99 through $4.99) per movie. The user can start viewing the moviewithin a few minutes of the start of download, or store the downloadedmovie on hard disk for later viewing. The user has a 24-hour viewingperiod starting from when the user first clicks Play.

Another service, CinemaNow, allows in addition a number of other optionsfor obtaining a movie through the Internet. A user can elect either todownload or stream (that is, view right away as the movie is received)the movie. The user can also select DOWNLOAD-TO-OWN and pay a higherfee, in order to download the movie for viewing an unlimited number oftimes and with no time restrictions. A user can also become a PremiumPass Plus member by paying a subscription fee which entitles the memberto unlimited access to any available movie, with no limitation.

Another VOD service, Akimbo, provides users with the equipment todownload content from the Internet without using a personal computer.Akimbo supplies a VOD player which includes an Ethernet connector and auser interface for the user to select from assorted categories ofcontent, such as Movies, Sports, Music, TV & Video, Kids, Lifestyle,etc. The user must purchase the player and pay a monthly or a lifetimesubscription fee. In addition, the user pays for premium content.

Another subscription service, MovieBeam, allows subscribers to selectfor viewing movies downloaded to a set-top box via over-the-air TVbroadcast spectrum. The set-top box stores 100 movies, with ten moviesbeing replaced with new movies every week. The subscriber pays a monthlyequipment rental fee and a per-movie-viewed fee. Each movie viewed canbe repeatedly viewed over a 24-hour period. In addition to the movies,the subscriber receives complementary content, such as trailers,behind-the-scene footages, making-of featurettes, interviews, shortfilms, etc.

In addition, some movie content providers, such as STARZ! On Demand,have contracted with digital cable and satellite broadcast providers toprovide VOD content directly to the consumer. Similar to the parentmovie network, STARZ! On Demand charges members a monthly subscriptionfee. The subscriber does not pay for downloaded movies, but of coursemust pay a monthly fee for the digital cable or satellite service.

Encoding and data compression technologies are applied in many instancesto secure the content and reduce data quantity for transmission. Forexample, technology developed by DivX Network has been proposed forcompressing VOD content.

The disclosures of the above-mentioned VOD services are herebyincorporated by reference into this application in order to more fullydescribe the state of the art as of the date of the subject matterdescribed and claimed herein.

Many consumers seek the advantages of optical media storage byattempting to save onto optical media content downloaded through abroadband medium or otherwise received. Many (if not most) of thepersonal computers currently sold include hardware and software forrecording content onto recordable optical media. However, since contentproviders are sensitive to unauthorized use of downloaded content, theytypically take measures which make it difficult for the content to besaved, at a high quality, by the consumer onto optical media. Forexample, content owners typically do not make available for Internetdownloads their most valuable content, such as current (first-run)movies, because of concern with unauthorized downloads and unauthorizeddistribution.

SUMMARY

This application describes secure optical media storage. In oneembodiment, an optical recording medium includes a read-only zone and awritable area, wherein copy control and optional information is storedin the read-only zone, and the copy control information specifies (A) anauthorized content source and (B) content which is authorized to bedownloaded from the authorized content source and recorded in thewritable area of the optical recording medium, which can be a specificand unique medium.

The application also describes methodologies for secure distribution ofcontent. In one embodiment, a method for distributing content through aportable medium which can be transported by hand from one media playerto another media player, includes (a) providing to an authorized user anoptical recording medium comprising a read-only zone and a writablearea, wherein electronic copy control and optional other information isstored in the read-only zone of the optical recording medium, the copycontrol information is read by an optical media player and specifies (I)an authorized content source and (II) content which is authorized to bedownloaded from the authorized content source and recorded in thewritable area of the optical recording medium (and optionally anidentification of the medium), (b) checking the copy control informationstored in the read-only zone of the optical recording medium, beforeinformation is recorded in the writable area of the optical recordingmedium, and (c) allowing (i) downloading from the authorized contentsource of a file and (ii) recording of the downloaded file in thewritable area of the optical recording medium, if the file relates tothe content which is authorized to be downloaded and recorded accordingto the copy control information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present application can be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a plan view of an optical recording medium, according toan example of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows a sectional view of an optical recording medium cut alongthe line AA′ shown in FIG. 1A, according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an optical recording medium cut alongthe line AA′ shown in FIG. 1A, according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an optical recording medium cut alongthe line AA′ shown in FIG. 1A, according to another exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for distributing contentthrough a portable medium which can be transported by hand from onemedia player to another media player, in an embodiment of the presentapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application provides tools in the form of improved optical mediastorage and methodologies for secure distribution of content. The toolsenable a new business model, and adapt conventional optical mediatechnology with integrated broadband content access, to deliver contentsecurely and enable content owners to maintain and even improve theircurrent margins in an electronic content delivery system.

An improved optical recording medium 10, according to an embodiment ofthis disclosure (FIG. 1A), comprises a read-only zone 12 and a writablearea 14. Copy control information is stored in the read-only zone. Thecopy control information specifies (a) an authorized content source and(b) content which is authorized to be downloaded from the authorizedcontent source and recorded in the writable area of the opticalrecording medium. This improved optical recording medium is referredgenerally in this disclosure as a “Secure Disc”.

Any of the hybrid optical media discussed above can be adapted with theimprovements taught herein. For example, according to one exemplaryembodiment (FIG. 1B), the read-only zone 12 and the writable area 14 arelocated on the same information layer of the Secure Disc.

A Secure Disc 20, according to another exemplary embodiment (FIG. 2),comprises a ROM disc 22 and an optically recordable disc 24. The ROMdisc 22 and the optically recordable disc 24 adhere to each other. TheROM disc includes the read-only zone for storing the copy controlinformation, and the optically recordable disc includes the writablearea for recording a file relating to the content which is authorized tobe downloaded and recorded according to the copy control information.

The ROM disc 22 may optionally include prerecorded content, such asclips from movies (or even a full-length movie) starring a particularactor (for example, Tom Hanks), accompanied by copy control informationfor downloading additional optional content relating to the same actor.For example, the additional content may include one or more entiremovies, a video clip of one of the actor's Oscar acceptance speeches,video clips from the actor's other performances (for example, televisionappearances), videos of one or more interviews of Tom Hanks, etc. Thevarious available content need not be tied to a particular actor and canbe related instead by a common subject (for example, new releases, Oscarwinners, etc.), genre (for example, action, comedy, cooking, drama,sports, etc.), source (for example, a particular studio, the NBA, aparticular computer game maker, etc.), etc., or may even be entirelyunrelated at all.

In another embodiment (FIG. 3), a Secure Disc 30 comprises a firstinformation layer 32 and a second information layer 34. The first layer32 includes the read-only zone for storing the copy control information.The second layer 34 includes the writable area for recording a filerelating to the content which is authorized to be downloaded andrecorded according to the copy control information.

For example, the Secure Disc 30 may be a HD-DVD (also referred to asAOD) disc or Blu-ray disc, adapted with the subject matter of thisdisclosure. HD-DVD and Blu-ray are two proposed formats, which arecompeting to be the standard for the next generation optical recordingdisc. Each of HD-DVD and Blu-ray provides a pre-recorded format and arecordable format. Each format is designed for use with blue lasertechnology, in order to achieve higher data density, such as would berequired for recording high definition video.

The improved optical media storage can be a recordable disc augmentedwith a read-only zone. The remainder of the disc can be standardCD-R/DVD-R, CD-RW/DVD-RW, CD-RAM/DVD-RAM or other recordable media,depending on the application. The read-only zone can be any capacity ordiameter. The read-only zone adds robust, advanced copy protection andcopy control to the disc.

The DVD specification which specifies the format of data on DVDsprovides for an optional Burst Cutting Area inside of the lead-in areaof a DVD. The Burst Cutting Area is intended to be a location on areplicated DVD onto which a bar code (up to 188 bytes), as an uniqueserial code for the DVD, can be written by a power laser (Annex K). Ithas been proposed that the serial code can be used for tracking DVDs andthereby also serve an objective of copy prevention. However, no teachingor suggestion has been found by the applicant of using the Burst CuttingArea to record copy control information specifying an authorized contentsource and content which is authorized to be recorded on the opticalrecording medium.

Any of the various possible types of content and content sources can bespecified by the copy control information as being authorized. Forexample, the copy control information can specify that any movie contentoriginating from a specified movie studio (for example, TwentiethCentury Fox, MGM, Warner Brothers, etc.) is authorized for download froma specified VOD (video on demand) web site, and for recording onto theSecure Disc.

The copy control information stored in the read-only zone can optionallyinclude one or more of the following:

(a) security information which the authorized content source retrievesfrom the read-only zone of the Secure Disc and verifies, before theauthorized content source allows download of the authorized content fromthe authorized content source;

(b) an identifier unique to the Secure Disc (for example, authorizedcontent recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc is keyed to theidentifier unique to the Secure Disc, and playback of the contentrecorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc requires a media playerwhich extracts the identifier from the copy control information storedin the read-only zone and uses the extracted identifier as a key toretrieve the content from the writable area of the Secure Disc);

(c) information which specifies one or more recorder devices authorizedto receive the authorized content from the authorized content source andrecord the content in the writable area of the Secure Disc;

(d) information which specifies one or more player devices authorized toreproduce content recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc;

(e) an identifier uniquely identifying an authorized user;

(f) information specifying a number of content files authorized to berecorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc; and

(g) information specifying a time window within which a file recorded inthe writable area of the Secure Disc can be played back.

In addition, the copy control information can key the content authorizedto be recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc, to a particularmovie or a class or category of movies by type, date or anothercriteria.

The copy control information may also include a cipher key for decodingdownloaded content, in order to play the content. The copy controlinformation can include information for determining whether selectedcontent is authorized to be recorded in the writable area of the SecureDisc, as well as information specifying when, how and by whom contentrecorded in the writable area can be reproduced. For example, the copycontrol information can include license information, both in anactionable (for example, machine executable) form and a human-readable(for example, textual) form. The actionable license can serve as a key,as referenced elsewhere herein. The license can be used to transact withthe content source for download of authorized content.

In addition, the copy control information can be keyed to informationwhich is only known to the content source and authorized recorderdevices (and perhaps authorized player devices), and the key informationis required to retrieve the copy control information from the read-onlyzone.

The content delivered by the content source is preferably watermarked.

Accordingly, the copy control information as well as the contentrecorded on the Secure Disc can be protected from unauthorizedreplication.

The writable area can include one or more rewritable zones and/or one ormore recordable, write-once zones.

According to a business model incorporating an exemplary embodiment ofthis disclosure, a method for distributing content through a portablemedium which can be transported by hand from one media player to anothermedia player, includes [as illustrated in FIG. 4] providing to anauthorized user a Secure Disc (step S41). The electronic copy controlinformation stored in the read-only zone of the Secure Disc is checked(step S43), before information is recorded in the writable area of theSecure Disc. Downloading from the authorized content source of a fileand recording of the downloaded file in the writable area of the SecureDisc is permitted (step S47), if the file relates to the content whichis authorized to be downloaded and recorded according to the copycontrol information (step S45, YES). An optional step may be included tocheck whether the disc is authorized (step S46), before downloadingand/or recording is allowed to proceed. If the file does not relate tocontent which is authorized (step S45, YES) or the disc is notauthorized (step S46, NO), the request to download or record is rejected(step S49). The file recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disccan be downloaded from the authorized content source through theInternet, one or more other networks, and/or satellite transmission.

Content distribution may be effected through a client-server system oranother type of computer system (such as a peer-to-peer system). Clientsoftware may be included in the read-only zone of the Secure Disc. Theclient software may include a user interface (for example, a browser)which presents a user with instructions for accessing and downloadingcontent from one or more authorized content sources. The client softwaremay include media player software and/or an interface to a media playerand/or optical media recorder software resident in the user's computersystem.

The client software is adapted to communicate with the server to performnecessary handshaking in compliance with security requirements and toestablish a communication channel with the server (as well as in someinstances with a content source other than the server), while using,and/or guided by, the copy control information stored in the read-onlyzone. The client may include code for performing many of the securitytasks, or alternatively it may be configured as a thin client throughwhich the server obtains the required security information and/orperforms the security tasks.

The use of client-server systems (and peer-to-peer systems) forcommunication of content and e-commerce is well-known, and therefore adetailed discussion is omitted in the interest of clarity and brevity.

The file recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc can bedownloaded from the authorized content source, saved to an intermediatedigital content storage device, and then recorded in the writable areaof the Secure Disc. The intermediate digital content storage device canbe a hard disk of a personal computer, or in a digital video recorder.

The Secure Disc can be provided to the authorized user through a contentdistributor or content service provider in exchange for a fee, accordingto one exemplary business model. The fee preferably is commensurate withthe content to be recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc.

In another exemplary business model, the authorized user maintains anaccount with a content distributor or content service provider, theSecure Disc is provided to the authorized user through the contentdistributor or content service provider, and a fee is charged to theaccount each time a file is downloaded from the authorized contentsource and recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc.

According to another exemplary business model, the authorized user paysa subscription fee to a content distributor or content service provider,and the Secure Disc is provided to the authorized user through thecontent distributor or content service provider.

In each instance, the copy control information stored in the read-onlyzone of the Secure Disc can include an identifier uniquely identifyingthe content distributor or content service provider through whom theSecure Disc is provided and/or to whom the fee is paid.

The downloaded content can be selectively filtered and the filteredcontent is recorded in the writable area of the Secure Disc. Forexample, the downloaded content can be selectively filtered based on anedit list. Alternatively, the content can selectively be filtered basedon user selection.

The methodologies of this application may largely be implemented throughone or more computer programs stored on a computer readable mediumand/or transmitted via a computer network or other transmission medium.

The above specific embodiments are illustrative, and many variations canbe introduced on these embodiments without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example,elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplaryembodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substitutedfor each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

In addition, further non-limiting details are described in the followingexamples which are set forth to aid in an understanding of the subjectmatter of this application, but is not intended to, and should not beconstrued to, limit in any way the claims which follow thereafter.

In one exemplary application of the subject matter of this disclosure,Secure Discs can be created for the NFL (i.e. National Football League)and made available through retail chains or as a premium incentive forsubscribers of a content service (such as TiVo®, cable TV, satellite TV,etc.). Copy control information can be prerecorded in a read-only zoneof a Secure Disc for the NFL, and include security information whichindicates that the disc is authorized for storing (i) NFL contentgenerally, (ii) a specific NFL game (for example, the Super Bowl), (iii)NFL games during a specific time period (such as one or more weeks ofthe NFL regular season or playoffs), and/or (iv) one or more gamesplayed by a specific NFL team, etc. The copy control information mayalso provide security information allowing the subscriber to downloadother information, such as team and/or player statistics or profiles(including photos, highlight videos, interviews, etc.) from the NFL website, and save the downloaded information onto the Secure Disc.

In an example in which the Secure Discs are provided by TiVo, a DVR(digital video recorder) device can be used to record an NFL game and itmay be desired to store the recorded content on a Secure Disc.

After an NFL game is recorded on the DVR device, the subscriber has theoption to store the recorded game on an authorized Secure Disc. In manyinstances, the subscriber will be motivated by any one or more ofseveral reasons to store the recorded content onto a Secure Disc. Asmentioned above, the Secure Disc is portable media which can allow thesubscriber to transport the stored content quickly to another room inthe home and replay the content in the other room, without waiting forthe content to be transferred through a home network or another network.In addition, DVRs typically have limited storage, and new recordingswill automatically replace the oldest recordings stored in the DVRstorage when no empty storage is available. Since a subscriber canprogram a DVR device to make regular recordings (for example, everynight from 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.), the storage can be quickly expended,with or without knowledge of the subscriber. Therefore, when such asubscriber downloads specific NFL content, the subscriber will likelywant to archive the downloaded NFL content onto a Secure Disc.

The DVR device typically has a number of input/output ports which allowthe device to communicate with other devices, such as an optical mediarecorder, with or without going through a personal computing system. TheDVR device can be adapted through its onboard programming to retrievecopy control information from the read-only zone of the disc anddetermine the allowed uses of the disc. The DVR device can also check toverify that the copy control information recorded in the read-only zoneof the Secure Disc indicates that the disc is authorized to recordcontent from the DVR device. The details of the digital rightsmanagement (DRM) scheme in this case can be determined by the NFL and/orTiVo. In addition, the playback window and device interoperability canbe specified in the copy control information, in accordance with the DRMscheme adopted by the NFL and/or TiVo.

The subscriber can be charged a fee for recording the NFL content ontothe Secure Disc. A fee may be charged for each recording or for eachdisc, or may be a monthly or yearly subscription fee (or a subscriptionfee charged for any specified period of time) for a premium servicewhich entitles the subscriber to make a specified number of authorizedrecordings on the disc or as many recordings as the subscriber desires.

The DVR device may store only highlights of the game on an NFL SecureDisc. When only highlights are to be stored on the Secure Disc, thehighlights to be stored can be selected by the subscriber or controlledby an edit list supplied to the DVR device after the DVR device hasrecorded an entire game. Because the NFL generally cannot distributehighlights in a timely and cost-effective manner to each team's market,this distribution channel (that is, through a content service providersuch as TiVo) allows the NFL to obtain a new source of revenue.

The Secure Disc can have a unique identifier, and the stored content canbe keyed to the particular Secure Disc through the unique Secure Discidentifier. Playback of the Secure Disk on a personal (or laptop)computer may require media player software which compares the SecureDisc identifier to the key information in the stored content. Eachsubscriber may be assigned a unique user identifier which is recorded onany Secure Disc(s) provided to the subscriber, and the media playerprovided to the subscriber may be keyed to play stored content only froma Secure Disc containing the subscriber's user identifier. Thus,motivation for unauthorized copies of the copyrighted program stored onthe Secure Disc can be limited.

The business model can also be adapted for content distributors. Someretail content distributors (for example, Netflix®, Blockbuster®, etc.)currently operate as online DVD rental companies. More specifically,consumers pay a monthly fee (and thereby become “members”) and can orderselected content (for example, movies, games, etc.) through the contentdistributor's web site. The content is stored on a prerecorded DVD. ADVD containing content selected by a member is mailed to the member fromone of the local warehouses maintained by the content distributor, suchthat the member receives the ordered DVD within a few days. The envelopecontaining the DVD mailed to the member also contains a postage-prepaidreturn envelope for the member to return the DVD to the contentdistributor. The member is not charged a fee for the postage (for eitherway). The monthly fee can vary according to the limit of the number ofDVDs the member wishes to have at any time (for example, $17.99 for amaximum of three DVDs, $22.99 for a maximum of four movies, 26.99 for amaximum of five movies, etc.). The member can keep the DVD for as longas the member wants, with a limitation on the number of DVDs that can beout at any time.

However, while the current business model of such content distributorshave been somewhat successful, many improvements can be made thereupon.For example, postage constitutes a large portion of the operatingexpense of these content distributors. In addition, in order to fulfillthe promise of a large number of titles being available to members andthe promise that a member will receive each ordered DVD within a coupleof days (i.e. 1-3 days), the content distributor must maintain largeinventories of prerecorded DVDs at each local warehouse.

Such drawbacks can be avoided through use of Secure Disks as the storagemedia. For example, rather than maintaining large inventories ofprerecorded DVDs at each local warehouse, the content distributors canmaintain a much smaller inventory of Secure Disks and a secured webportal to an online library of content, and have the member download theordered content from the secured web portal and save onto the SecureDisc. The read-only zone of the Secure Disc mailed to the member can bekeyed to download website security.

In addition, postage expense can be reduced by using rewritable SecureDisc. For example, upon subscription to the online content service, aspecified number of rewritable Secure Discs can be mailed to the member(with option of replacement for a fee). The subscriber can reuse therewritable Secure Discs over and over to “rent” content from thewebsite. Each time content is written to the rewritable Secure Disc anyexisting content on the disc is overwritten.

Under a modified business model, instead of buying DVDs from contentproviders (such as movie studios, computer game manufacturers, etc.) andrenting the DVDs to consumers, the content distributor obtains the rightfrom the content provider to distribute content electronically. Theagreement between content provider and content distributor typicallywould require the content distributor to outsource facilities for fileserving, watermarking, individual encryption, plus tracking and auditingof transactions. The distribution agreement may require the contentprovider to collect a fee per transaction. Secure Discs can be used toprovide secure content distribution for premium services as well as forstandard digital broadcast time-shifting.

The premium services can be provided directly by content providers,bypassing distributors and service providers, such as when the contentoccupies a niche market. For example, a content provider (such as HBO®)can offer consumers high definition (HD) content “record” servicethrough which consumers can legally record high-quality high definitionprogramming from HBO onto a Secure Disc. HBO can provide the SecureDisc, as well as perhaps the equipment (hardware and/or software), tothe consumer, keyed to HBO's HD content and allowing the consumer totime-shift and move content within his/her home. Content delivery fromHBO to local storage will be in real time (scheduled broadcast) orfaster (HBO on Demand). HBO may implement a limited play window for timeshifting or even offer a “sell through” model (for example, through TiVoor a Cable or satellite TV service provider).

The copy control information on the Secure Disc may also providesecurity information allowing the subscriber to download otherinformation, such as profiles of shows and/or actors (including photos,videos clips, interviews, etc.) from the HBO web site, and save thedownloaded information onto the Secure Disc.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for distributing content through aportable medium which can be transported by hand from one media playerto another media player, the method comprising: (a) providing to anauthorized user an optical recording medium comprising a read-only zoneand a writable area, wherein electronic copy control information isstored in said read-only zone of said optical recording medium, saidcopy control information is read by an optical media player andspecifies (I) an authorized content source and (II) content which isauthorized to be downloaded from said authorized content source andrecorded in said writable area of the optical recording medium; (b)checking said copy control information stored in said read-only zone ofthe optical recording medium, before information is recorded in saidwritable area of the optical recording medium; and (c) allowing (i)downloading from said authorized content source of a file and (ii)recording of the downloaded file in said writable area of the opticalrecording medium, at least if said file relates to said content which isauthorized to be downloaded and recorded according to said copy controlinformation.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said copy controlinformation further specifies a number of content files authorized to berecorded in said writable area of the optical recording medium.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said copy control information furtherspecifies a time window within which the file recorded in said writablearea of the optical recording medium can be played back.
 15. The methodof claim 12, wherein the file recorded in the writable area of theoptical recording medium is downloaded from the authorized contentsource through the Internet.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein thefile recorded in the writable area of the optical recording medium isdownloaded from the authorized content source through satellitetransmission.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the file recorded inthe writable area of the optical recording medium is downloaded from theauthorized content source, saved to an intermediate digital contentstorage device, and then recorded in the writable area of the opticalrecording medium.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediatedigital content storage device is a hard disk of a personal computer.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediate digital contentstorage device is in a digital video recorder.
 20. The method of claim12, wherein the optical recording medium is provided to the authorizeduser in step (a) through a content distributor or content serviceprovider in exchange for a fee.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein theauthorized user maintains an account with a content distributor orcontent service provider, the optical recording medium is provided tothe authorized user in step (a) through the content distributor orcontent service provider, and a fee is charged to the account each timea file is downloaded from said authorized content source and recorded insaid writable area of the optical recording medium.
 22. The method ofclaim 12, wherein authorized user pays a subscription fee to a contentdistributor or content service provider, and the optical recordingmedium is provided to the authorized user in step (a) through thecontent distributor or content service provider.
 23. The method of claim12, wherein said copy control information includes an identifieruniquely identifying a content distributor or content service providerthrough whom the optical recording medium is provided.
 24. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said copy control information includes an identifieruniquely identifying a content distributor or content service providerto whom a fee is paid.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the fee iscommensurate with the content recorded in said writable area of theoptical recording medium.
 26. The method of claim 12, wherein thedownloaded content is selectively filtered and the filtered content isrecorded in said writable area of the optical recording medium.
 27. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the downloaded content is selectivelyfiltered based on an edit list.
 28. The method of claim 12, wherein thedownloaded content is selectively filtered based on user selection. 29.An electronic system, comprising: a recording device; a processor; and aprogram storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the processor to perform steps (b) and (c) of the methodclaimed in claim 12, including controlling said recording device torecord said downloaded file to said writable area of the opticalrecording medium.
 30. A computer data signal transmitted in one or moresegments in a transmission medium which embodies instructions executableby a computer system to perform steps (b) and (c) of the method claimedin claim 12, said computer system including a recording device forrecording said downloaded file to said writable area of the opticalrecording medium.